A map does little good unless you know where you are. The Holy Bible is our map for life which can show us where we are in most every situation and which route to take to our destination. It will even tell you the different stages of experience and maturity that you will go through in your journey. Additionally, Holy Spirit has given us His revelation gifts (divine GPS system) to supplement and enhance our journey by helping us see and adapt to life’s changing environment.
For church leaders, having both a written roadmap and God’s GPS system is vital. Equally important is the leader’s ability to tell others where they’re going – imparting a vision. Vision casting has two important parts – values and clarity. Values are important because the more noble the value (purpose) the more devoted believers will be in the journey. An important connection exists between vision and value. Some leaders have great values, but no vision; likewise others have vision, but lack values. The balance between vision and values in the right combination is a tremendous force against the powers of darkness set to oppose any forward movement.
Clarity of vision and purpose is the other vital aspect. The clearer and more specific a vision is; the more likely its accomplishment becomes. Again specifics are essential – a general vision such as reaching the lost for Christ in full time ministry rarely is realized. However, a specific vision of reaching teens in a particular section of the city is more likely to be accomplished.
After casting the vision, leaders must in partnership with Holy Spirit devise a workable, step-by-step plan to fulfill the vision. Unplanned visions are useless without strategic planning through Holy Spirit’s guidance to see it accomplished. Plans should include benchmarks of accomplishment to encourage participants along the way. It’s best to backward plan from the finished product, situation, or spiritual attainment (which is written with as much detail as possible); taking a step by step progression backward to your present situation. By doing so, you highlight the strategic objectives and critical stages of the project. Some of the most virtuous, noble visions have been unrealized because of improper planning – either weak plans with no specific objectives or over-planning with such complexity that no one could follow. Avoid the planning ditches on both sides of the road to completing your vision.
The next stage involves mobilizing the resources and personnel the Lord has provided. This involves a leadership anointing for mobilization and management. Mismanagement of our most important resource – people - has stopped more spiritual movements than anything else. If anyone is reading this – the first church had the apostolic model of the five-fold ministry gift (Eph.4:11) which was the most powerful concept of leadership ever devised and in effect gave it to the world – yet has failed to use it since!
Many might be thinking – “But what about money?” Money is the least important resource from God’s perspective. Success is based upon the calling of God first and foremost – whom He calls, He equips. Our focus must also be on the proper equipping of people that Holy Spirit has joined with us while maintaining faith and obedience throughout the project. If we’re doing His things correctly, money will be there as we need it (Matt.6:33). When we become too focused on money, we’ll lose the best people and more importantly God’s anointing. It’s impossible to put a value on people – as God gave His Own Son for them. People are of infinite value. In fact, God is not as interested in our finished product as He is the journey along the way and how we manage His people and resources.
Journeys can become nightmares if focus is lost on the way. Ever been lost in a strange city? Satan uses distractions of all sorts to entice leaders to lose focus. Determined focus is really the best way to describe the type focus necessary to accomplish a vision. Pressure, opposition, trials and tests of faith will come often as God’s purpose to promote and advance us along the way.
Finally, if we’re to accomplish our vision, we must be people of action. A good plan is important, but timing is also a critical as well. Perfect circumstances never appear (Eccl.11:4); so dependence on Holy Spirit’s guidance is essential for leaders to move forward, even if circumstances look unfavorable. In fact, one of the most deadly traps I’ve seen for leaders is waiting to “feel adequate for the task”. Feelings never accomplish visions, only faith accomplishes the task at hand. Over-devotion to perfection and being under confident in ability are other traps to avoid. It’s not about our talent, but God’s wisdom and power through us.
I also believe a tendency exists for many leaders to “try to make yesterday perfect.” To be overly focused on what’s wrong will negatively affect the finished product because most critical folks are out of touch with God’s present purpose. This again speaks to proper focus and avoiding distractions. We must learn from our mistakes of the past, forgive and be forgiven – then move forward!
Paul was a great example for us – “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”(Phil.3:12-14).
I trust what I’ve written here is beneficial to someone. This is not my usual “spiritual fare” normally provided. I was impressed by Holy Spirit to share this, having made many leadership mistakes myself, so that you can avoid them and keep God’s move on track. Amen.
For church leaders, having both a written roadmap and God’s GPS system is vital. Equally important is the leader’s ability to tell others where they’re going – imparting a vision. Vision casting has two important parts – values and clarity. Values are important because the more noble the value (purpose) the more devoted believers will be in the journey. An important connection exists between vision and value. Some leaders have great values, but no vision; likewise others have vision, but lack values. The balance between vision and values in the right combination is a tremendous force against the powers of darkness set to oppose any forward movement.
Clarity of vision and purpose is the other vital aspect. The clearer and more specific a vision is; the more likely its accomplishment becomes. Again specifics are essential – a general vision such as reaching the lost for Christ in full time ministry rarely is realized. However, a specific vision of reaching teens in a particular section of the city is more likely to be accomplished.
After casting the vision, leaders must in partnership with Holy Spirit devise a workable, step-by-step plan to fulfill the vision. Unplanned visions are useless without strategic planning through Holy Spirit’s guidance to see it accomplished. Plans should include benchmarks of accomplishment to encourage participants along the way. It’s best to backward plan from the finished product, situation, or spiritual attainment (which is written with as much detail as possible); taking a step by step progression backward to your present situation. By doing so, you highlight the strategic objectives and critical stages of the project. Some of the most virtuous, noble visions have been unrealized because of improper planning – either weak plans with no specific objectives or over-planning with such complexity that no one could follow. Avoid the planning ditches on both sides of the road to completing your vision.
The next stage involves mobilizing the resources and personnel the Lord has provided. This involves a leadership anointing for mobilization and management. Mismanagement of our most important resource – people - has stopped more spiritual movements than anything else. If anyone is reading this – the first church had the apostolic model of the five-fold ministry gift (Eph.4:11) which was the most powerful concept of leadership ever devised and in effect gave it to the world – yet has failed to use it since!
Many might be thinking – “But what about money?” Money is the least important resource from God’s perspective. Success is based upon the calling of God first and foremost – whom He calls, He equips. Our focus must also be on the proper equipping of people that Holy Spirit has joined with us while maintaining faith and obedience throughout the project. If we’re doing His things correctly, money will be there as we need it (Matt.6:33). When we become too focused on money, we’ll lose the best people and more importantly God’s anointing. It’s impossible to put a value on people – as God gave His Own Son for them. People are of infinite value. In fact, God is not as interested in our finished product as He is the journey along the way and how we manage His people and resources.
Journeys can become nightmares if focus is lost on the way. Ever been lost in a strange city? Satan uses distractions of all sorts to entice leaders to lose focus. Determined focus is really the best way to describe the type focus necessary to accomplish a vision. Pressure, opposition, trials and tests of faith will come often as God’s purpose to promote and advance us along the way.
Finally, if we’re to accomplish our vision, we must be people of action. A good plan is important, but timing is also a critical as well. Perfect circumstances never appear (Eccl.11:4); so dependence on Holy Spirit’s guidance is essential for leaders to move forward, even if circumstances look unfavorable. In fact, one of the most deadly traps I’ve seen for leaders is waiting to “feel adequate for the task”. Feelings never accomplish visions, only faith accomplishes the task at hand. Over-devotion to perfection and being under confident in ability are other traps to avoid. It’s not about our talent, but God’s wisdom and power through us.
I also believe a tendency exists for many leaders to “try to make yesterday perfect.” To be overly focused on what’s wrong will negatively affect the finished product because most critical folks are out of touch with God’s present purpose. This again speaks to proper focus and avoiding distractions. We must learn from our mistakes of the past, forgive and be forgiven – then move forward!
Paul was a great example for us – “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”(Phil.3:12-14).
I trust what I’ve written here is beneficial to someone. This is not my usual “spiritual fare” normally provided. I was impressed by Holy Spirit to share this, having made many leadership mistakes myself, so that you can avoid them and keep God’s move on track. Amen.